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5
Friday, October 11, 2013 • Issue 109
TESSANNE
Laura Dowrich-Phillips
"Trinidad is my second home, I
love that place so much, it's my
favourite place to be," gushed Tes-
sanne Chin.
Speaking to Metro from Jamaica
via phone, the singer was ebullient in
her reaction to the news that many
Trinbagonians were supporting her
efforts to win The Voice, a weekly
singing show on NBC.
The 29-year-old has felt a particu-
lar bond with T&T since spending a
month in 2011 with Kes the Band.
She even filmed the video here for
Loving You, her collaboration with
Kees Dieffenthaller.
"I love everything in Trinidad. I love
meh doubles, meh buss up shut," she
said in that distinct Jamaican twang
that made The Voice judges swoon
when she sang during the blind audi-
tions two weeks ago.
Though she is well-known in the
Caribbean for her biggest hit to date,
Hideaway, Tessanne is still a relative
unknown in the wider world and The
Voice, she said, is a platform to take
her talent worldwide.
"My purpose for entering is to fur-
ther my skill. When you stay in one
place too long you get comfortable
and I wanted a platform to branch
off into a bigger market, to make
waves in the world and fly the flag
for Jamaica and the Caribbean," she
said.
Responding to those who initially
criticised her decision to enter the
show because she is considered an
established artist in the Caribbean,
she said making it is relative.
"At home, meaning the Caribbean,
there is a certain level of success I
achieved but that is not making it. I
grew up listening to Whitney Hous-
ton and Celine Dion and Beyonce and
I wanted to have a career like that."
"I am proud of everything I have
achieved at home but for Caribbean
people there is a yearning to show
the world we are more than what
you think. We could have the
wickedest gospel singers, pop
singers, rappers," she said, recalling
an open mic she attended at Movie
Towne and being blown away by the
talents of the young people who
sang songs from Adele and Beyonce.
"Those young people and the
young people in Jamaica inspired me
to get it myself," she said.
She credited dancehall star
Shaggy for coming up with the idea
to try out on The Voice, stating that
he is one of the few stars in Jamaica
who looks out for younger artistes.
Her lawyer, she said, had actually
approached her with the idea before
but the timing was not right.
Tessanne said there were many
times she wanted to give up singing
and just lead a life like everyone else
but last year she made up her mind
that no matter what she would al-
ways be singing.
Although she expected to be
treated as a number on the show,
Tessanne said the treatment on The
Voice far exceeded her expectations.
"It's not about ridiculing people,"
she said. "You go through four audi-
tions before you get to the blind au-
ditions. This is what puts The Voice
above the rest. It's about finding
quality voices. They give you vocal
coaches and the best of hair and
makeup before the blind auditions,"
she revealed.
The blind auditions weren't as
nerve wracking for her since, she
said, coming from the Caribbean
where it is hard to please people,
prepared her.
Still, when the audience cheered
and all four coaches turned their
chairs, she was floored. To hear
these established singers compli-
ment her voice and rendition of
Pink's Try validated her even more.
Talking about Adam Levine, the
coach who she chose to be her men-
tor, Tessanne said she looks up to
both him and fellow judge Christina
Aguilera in every possible way. She
chose Adam however, because his
musical style is versatile and similar
to what she wants to emulate.
"He is such a musical chameleon,
you hear everything in his music and
his band's. I don't want to be boxed
in, I want to have a little flair of the
islands too."
Of her song choice, Tessanne said
she admires Pink and the song was
chosen because of the message.
"That was me getting up and try-
ing again."
Next Monday the Battle Round
begins and while she couldn't reveal
the outcome, Tessanne said she
would be watching with everyone
else. Should she survive that round
she will be into the live rounds where
viewers can then vote each week for
their favourites.
In the meantime, she thanks T&T
for all the love and support.
"Long before The Voice you have
been sending me good vibes. I can't
wait to return to eat some bake and
shark and doubles and all the good
stuff."
THANKS T&T FOR SUPPORT